Wedding Planning Checklist (Free Download)

How to Use This Checklist

This checklist is designed for Indian weddings with 100–500 guests and 3–5 events. Every wedding is different — if some items don't apply to your celebration, skip them. If your community has specific traditions not listed here, add them. The goal is to ensure nothing critical slips through during the excitement and chaos of planning.

Work through this list chronologically. The tasks in earlier months are foundational — skipping them creates cascading problems closer to the wedding.

Prefer an interactive version? Wowzey's free wedding checklist tool lets you check off tasks and save your progress to your account.

18 Months Before

• ☐ Set total wedding budget with both families
• ☐ Decide approximate guest count
• ☐ Choose wedding city and general venue type
• ☐ Begin venue research and shortlisting
• ☐ Consult family pandit for auspicious dates (if applicable)
• ☐ Set the wedding date
• ☐ Book primary wedding venue
• ☐ Begin photographer research

12 Months Before

• ☐ Book wedding photographer and videographer
• ☐ Book wedding caterer (or confirm with venue caterer)
• ☐ Book wedding decorator / floral designer
• ☐ Book DJ and/or live music
• ☐ Hire wedding planner (if using one)
• ☐ Book pre-wedding event venues (Mehndi, Sangeet, Haldi)
• ☐ Begin bridal attire research
• ☐ Book bridal make-up artist
• ☐ Book Mehendi artist
• ☐ Open dedicated wedding email or WhatsApp for all vendor communication

9 Months Before

• ☐ Purchase / order bridal lehenga or saree
• ☐ Order groom's sherwani
• ☐ Plan family member outfits (colour coordination)
• ☐ Book pre-wedding photoshoot
• ☐ Schedule pre-wedding shoot (photos used for invitation and website)
• ☐ Begin guest list finalisation with both families
• ☐ Send save-the-dates (outstation guests, international guests)
• ☐ Create wedding website
• ☐ Book accommodation blocks near venue for outstation guests
• ☐ Confirm wedding insurance (for venue, weather, etc.) if desired

6 Months Before

• ☐ Finalise complete guest list for each event
• ☐ Design wedding invitation (digital and/or printed)
• ☐ Schedule catering tasting
• ☐ Finalise menu for each event
• ☐ Begin decoration planning with decorator
• ☐ Order wedding cake (if applicable)
• ☐ Plan honeymoon (book flights, accommodation)
• ☐ Apply for leave from work
• ☐ Check passport validity (for destination honeymoon)

3 Months Before

• ☐ Send formal invitations (digital via WhatsApp; physical for elders)
• ☐ Book transport for guests (if providing airport/hotel transfers)
• ☐ Finalise seating plan for reception dinner
• ☐ Schedule make-up trial
• ☐ Have first bridal lehenga fitting
• ☐ Confirm all vendors in writing (email/WhatsApp messages serve as documentation)
• ☐ Create detailed day-of timeline for main wedding events
• ☐ Book hair stylist for wedding day
• ☐ Book hair stylist for pre-wedding events (optional)
• ☐ Purchase wedding rings
• ☐ Begin finalising jewelry selection

1 Month Before

• ☐ RSVP deadline — follow up with non-responders personally
• ☐ Give final headcount to caterer
• ☐ Final bridal lehenga fitting
• ☐ Confirm all vendor arrival times for wedding day
• ☐ Create vendor contact sheet (all numbers in one document)
• ☐ Designate family members for key roles: venue coordinator, vendor liaison, gift manager
• ☐ Arrange for payment of vendors (many require cash on the day)
• ☐ Create a WhatsApp group for immediate family with the day's timeline
• ☐ Confirm honeymoon bookings
• ☐ Pack for honeymoon (do it early — you will be exhausted after the wedding)

1 Week Before

• ☐ Haldi and Mehndi prep — buy supplies or confirm professional
• ☐ Wedding emergency kit: safety pins, double-sided tape, pain relief, energy bars, phone charger, touch-up make-up
• ☐ Rest as much as possible — sleep is your best wedding preparation
• ☐ Confirm all vendor arrival times one final time
• ☐ Hand over venue and vendor management to your wedding coordinator or trusted family member

Wedding Day

• ☐ Eat breakfast — brides who skip meals faint; it happens more than you think
• ☐ Give vendor envelopes/payments to designated family member
• ☐ Be present — hand off logistics to others and be in the moment
• ☐ Have a glass of water at every opportunity
• ☐ Take 5 private minutes with your partner during the celebration — you will treasure this

After the Wedding

• ☐ Send thank you messages within 1–2 weeks
• ☐ Review and tip vendors you were exceptionally happy with
• ☐ Update all official documents with new name (if changing)
• ☐ Upload wedding photos to your wedding website
• ☐ Write reviews for your vendors — this genuinely helps other couples